The Madisonian

THE DESTRUCTION OF CAPE HAYTIEN.

By the brig Dirigo, arrived at Boston on the 6th inst. from Cape Haytien, whence she sailed on the 24th ult, the first direct information of the tremendous Earthquake on the 7th ult. is received. The destruction of human life is fully as large as the accounts via Port au Prince led those acquainted with the Island to suppose, and about double the amount reported via Jeremie. The Boston Advertiser says— Capt. Tucker was on board his vessel at the time of the Earthquake, and was an eye witness of the appalling scene. It took place at 5, P. M., and the entire demolition of almost every building in the city was the work of about two minutes only! A portion of two or three buildings alone remained standing of that city, which was the finest in the Island, being built principally of massive stone. The tide flowed into the principal streets, and receded again in a few minutes. Soon after the Earthquake, the combustible parts of most of the buildings took fire separately from the cooking apparatus, &c. and were consumed. Capt. Tucker states that the entire population of the place was estimated at from ten to twelve thousand, and from the best information he could obtain from many of the survivors, not more than two thousand escaped with their lives. All, or nearly all the officers of the Government being killed, there was no authority to control the surviving population, and they were continually fighting and shooting each other for plunder. The cargo of the Dirigo was dug out of the ruins of the Earthquake. There was only one shipmaster lost, the captain of a Norwegian vessel. Contrary to anticipation, it appears that many of the principal merchants survived the calamity ; among the rest Mr. Carvalho, an eminent merchant, who visited Boston a year or two since, and was much esteemed by his acquaintance.